Says any further delay in hearing of titled petition may cause serious, irreparable harm to PTI founder
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sister Dr Uzma Khan on Thursday filed another application before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking an urgent hearing of her contempt petition against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other respondents over the alleged non-implementation of the court’s August 18 order directing Imran’s medical examination and treatment at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad.
Last week, the apex court had directed that Imran be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for treatment for the next few days and instructed the government to arrange weekly meetings between him and his family. However, the government took him to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) instead. The PTI had subsequently filed a contempt of court petition in the SC over the alleged violation of the apex court’s August 18 order.
In her second application seeking early fixation of the contempt matter, Uzma urged the SC to fix the matter this week or at the earliest possible date next week, instead of September 16, warning that further delay could cause “serious and irreparable harm” to Imran.
“The subject matter of the petition concerns the life, health, dignity and physical well-being of Mr Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, a national hero and a former Prime Minister, whose health is deteriorating and whose life is stated to be in jeopardy,” the application said.
“Any further delay in hearing of the titled petition may cause serious and irreparable harm,” it added.
The contempt petition concerns the alleged failure of the respondents to implement the SC’s August 18 order, under which Imran was to be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment in accordance with the court’s directions.
Read: SC to hear Uzma’s contempt petition against violation of Imran medical transfer order on Sept 16
The petition maintained that the court’s order was “clear, unambiguous and binding” and alleged that the respondents had “deliberately failed to implement the order in its true letter and spirit”.
The petition described the continued non-compliance as “wilful, blatant and contumacious”, saying it directly concerned Imran’s fundamental rights, life, health and physical well-being.
The fresh application also raised questions over the current listing of the case for September 16. “It is unclear whether the above constitute directions by the competent authority/Honourable chief justice for fixation of the contempt matter on 16.09.2026, or simply the noting of the learned Registrar which has been placed before the competent authority for consideration,” it stated.
“If the former is true, and the case has been fixed on 16.09.2026, it is respectfully requested that the directions be reconsidered and the matter be fixed for hearing expeditiously, either this week or as early as possible next week,” it said.
The application argued that the case warranted exceptional urgency, saying it was “unique on its facts and in the manner in which the order of this Honourable Court has been brazenly flouted”. “It has brought the governance and the judicial systems of Pakistan into critical focus internationally,” the application said.
It further argued that the reasons for delaying the hearing could not justify waiting until September 16. “The reasons set out above, with respect, cannot justify such a long delay in the hearing of the case,” it stated.
The applicant also relied on the SC’s case fixation policy, arguing that it did not prevent the immediate hearing of her contempt petition. “There is nothing in the case Fixation Policy of this Honourable Court which prevents the immediate fixation of the titled Crl. OP No. 8 of 2026,” the application said.
“In fact, the Fixation Policy clearly prioritises liberty-related matters, especially where they arise due to non-compliance of court orders,” it added.
Uzma further pointed out that the fixation policy empowered the chief justice to order an early hearing.
Read More: SC to hear Uzma’s contempt petition against violation of Imran medical transfer order on Sept 16
“It is pertinent that paragraph 14(d) of the order dated 18.08.2026 allows the family members of Mr Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi to file an appropriate application in case of non-implementation of the order,” the application stated.
The petition also claimed that she had a strong prima facie case and that the balance of convenience was “entirely in favour of early fixation”. “No prejudice will be caused to the Respondents if the matter is heard at the earliest, whereas delay may cause irreparable loss and injury,” it said.
The application also noted that, according to media reports, the respondents had themselves sought an early hearing of their review petition.
The application ultimately requested that the contempt petition be fixed “at the earliest possible date within this week or early next week”, instead of September 16. The request was made “in the interest of justice, protection of life and health, and due enforcement of the order of this Honourable Court”.
The government had also filed a review petition before the apex court, calling its order “discriminatory in nature”. Following the order, speculation emerged that Imran may have reached an understanding with the authorities over his possible release from prison.
On August 21, Imran was taken to PIMS for a medical examination in the early hours of the morning and returned to Adiala jail after doctors declared him “medically fit”. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Imran was taken to the government-run facility because of the security situation created by PTI workers outside and on the way to Shifa International Hospital.
According to the sources, the parties facing contempt allegations were not provided with a list of the allegations.
SC declines early hearing of pleas
Despite efforts by PTI lawyers and the federal government, the SC on Monday did not agree to early listing of petitions seeking contempt proceedings for non-implementation of its August 18 order, as well as a review of the same directive.
The government filed an application seeking an early hearing of its review petition against the August 18 order regarding shifting former Prime Minister Imran from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital for a medical checkup.
The application sought fixation of the review within two days. However, the SC did not accept the plea for an early hearing and decided to take up the government’s review petition in its turn.
